Home Owners College

Home Owners College

Waco Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to empower partner families to become successful homeowners through its Homebuyer program. To this end, in 1999 Waco Habitat began the Homeowners’ College, a series of courses each family must complete before purchasing a Habitat home.

The primary goal of Habitat for Humanity homeowner education, the Homeowners’ College, is to equip families with the skills they need to become successful homeowners. Each Waco Habitat for Humanity partner family is required to complete the entire Homeowners’ College curriculum before they can build and purchase their home.

The Homeowners’ College is a proactive approach to combating potential problems homeowners may face, it:

Helps families learn valuable skills that will remain with them far beyond their involvement with Habitat

May decrease the incidence of defaulted loans or abused property.

Provides an opportunity for peer interaction and relationship building among families.

Classes Offered -

Orientation – Wednesday September 25th at 5:30

Speaker: Ivon Mendoza

Participants learn about becoming a Habitat partner and homeowner. The Family Support committee chairperson and a Habitat homeowner explain the history and philosophy of Habitat for Humanity, how Habitat for Humanity works, the sweat equity process, aspects of the construction process, cost of the home, moving in, monthly payments, how the homeowner may help others in the program, grievance process, house options, delinquency policy, and house design criteria.

Owning vs. Renting - Wednesday September 25th at 5:30

Speaker: Emma Kieninger & Gabby Gollihar (Baylor Social Work Inters)

Participants learn about the differences between owning and renting a home. Issue include cost of a Habitat for Humanity home loan compared to a conventional mortgage lender, upkeep responsibilities, and the positive and challenges of being the owner as opposed to having a landlord.

Native Plants – Saturday September 28th at 11 a.m.

Speakers: McLennan County Master Gardner’s

Participants learn about sustainable landscaping for their yard. A local landscaper trains participants with basic techniques and skills on planting, growing and maintaining plants suitable for the Central Texas climate.

Home Maintenance – Saturday September 28th at 11 a.m.

Speaker: Waco Habitat for Humanity Director of Construction

Participants learn basic home maintenance skills and house upkeep. A member of Waco Habitat for Humanity’s construction staff teaches participants about lawnmowers, fixing a leak, patching holes in the wall, turning on and off water, gas, and electrical sources, cleaning, sewer cleanouts, vents, water heater maintenance, washer dryer hook-ups, and replacing filters.

HVAC Systems – Saturday September 28th at 11 a.m.

Speaker: Jay Bryngleson

Participants learn about basic operation and maintenance of their home HVAC systems. A professional HVAC technician teaches participants how to troubleshoot their HVAC system and how to save costs with energy saving tips.

Legal Aspects of Homeownership – Wednesday October 2nd at 5:30

Speaker: Kyle Knas with Naman, Howell, Smith, & Lee Attorneys at Law

Participants gain knowledge of legal aspects and documents of closing on and owning a home. A local attorney well versed in the Habitat for Humanity homeownership process explains the legal documents prepared for the closing including the deed, notes, deeds of trust, and closing statements.

Speaker: Joe Bobbitt with McLennan County Appraisal District & Anna Dunbar with the City of Waco

Participants learn about property valuation concerning taxes. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the resources available to protest an appraisal and about the Homestead application process and its importance. Participants will also hear form a City of Waco employee about Solid Waste Services available in the City of Waco.

Home Safety & Good Neighbors – Wednesday October 16th at 5:30

Speaker: Sophie Martinez with the City of Waco Police Department

Participants learn about safety and security around the home. A local law enforcement officer reviews information on deterring burglars; placement and design of landscaping and shrubbery to deter crime; properly placed lighting; signs and other perimeter controls; securing doors, garages, and windows; recommended door locks, alarm systems, and free home security surveys. Participants learn the importance of knowing neighbors, and gain conflict resolution resources and other skills to implement in their neighborhood.